BLANCHARDVILLE — Dan Schraepfer takes over the Pecatonica softball program and will be flanked by Larry Green and Brooke Johnson as assistant coaches this spring.

The trio take over a club that finished 12-7 overall in 2021 with a 5-4 record in the Six Rivers East and made it to the regional final before falling to conference rival Barneveld.

That squad graduated four letter winners, two of whom were all-conference earners (Lily Busser, first team; Alexis McSherry honorable mention). 

Eleven letter-winners are returning this year. Seniors Nivaeh Gross was an all-conference outfield in 2021, as was classmate Tessa Green as an infielder. Juniors Chloe Schraepfer (P) and Trinity Gruenenfelder (C) were also all-conference selections. Senior Sam Ihm (OF), juniors Amanda (OF) and Kyra Chrostowski (INF), and sophomores Maddie Hirsch (INF), Bri Peterson (P), Alyssa Cassidy (Util), Piper Garthwaite (OF) and Sophia Schraepfer (OF) are all returning letterwinners.

Newcomers include senior Lexi Peterson (Util) and freshman Rya Jorenby (C/INF), Mikaela Gross (INF), Diana Hendrickson (P/INF) and Brianna Turner (P/NF).

“This is a very strong group of returning letterwinners and newcomers. They are all very capable of playing anywhere.

Coach Schraepfer said that hitting off of some of the league’s top pitchers will be a challenge. 

“Juda-Albany, Argyle, Barneveld — all teams with great pitching. On any given night, any of these teams can be very dangerous,” Coach Schraepfer said. “We expect to finish in the Top 3 in a very strong conference. We want to be competitive in every game.”